Work-From-Home (WFH): The New Normal
Business as usual is no more. The traditional workplace has been transitioning for more than 30 years, with the advent of computers and a host of other innovations changing the way people work and what they do each day. Automation allows organizations to streamline their workflow, eliminate mundane tasks and reduce manual labour. What was a slow shift to remote work accelerated with the pandemic and heightened the need for work-from-home (WFH) initiatives, cybersecurity awareness and defence, unified communications and cloud computing.
According to Global Workplace Analytics, businesses can save more than $11,000 per employee per year in real estate and utility costs, absenteeism, turnover and productivity by adopting WFH policies (Global Workplace Analytics, https://globalworkplaceanalytics.com).
In areas where commercial property and living expenses are high, those savings could be substantially higher. Employees gain back part of their lives and pay no gas or parking expenses.
There is no reason for businesses to wait for another pandemic to prepare for the next new normal. With a host of available technologies, including cloud services, mobility solutions, cybersecurity measures, remote monitoring and management, and productivity tools, as well as co-managed IT options, it is easier than ever to revolutionize the workplace for any size company.
The Workplace of Tomorrow.
When intelligently designed and professionally implemented, the new norm can be a significant business enhancer. Several other factors support the movement toward flexible workplaces. First, small business organizations can exponentially grow their pool of potential employees by recruiting in distant geographic regions. Rather than compete with enterprise organizations for quality talent, especially With all the unknowns that businesses face today, from the global pandemic and natural disasters to increasing government regulations, the value of IT systems and support has never been higher.
In the GTA and larger metropolitan areas, smaller businesses can cast a wider net for similarly, if not more highly, gifted employees. Remote work options help companies attract those highly skilled professionals who may not want to leave family and friends or prefer not to relocate due to financial hardships or other quality-of-life choices. Casting a wider geographic net also allows companies to attract a more diverse workforce. Bringing in people with different backgrounds and customs can spur new ideas and encourage strategic planning.
Economically challenged cities and rural areas are great recruiting areas for companies with job openings where remote work is an option. Of course, applicants must meet specific criteria to qualify, including a work location with minimum internet speeds and other lines of communication.
Employee satisfaction is another opportunity in the new norm. A recent survey found that 77% of respondents appreciate the flexibility of working at home, with 69% indicating satisfaction with their well-being in a WFH situation (Global Workplace Analytics’ Global Work-from-Home Experience Survey https://globalworkplaceanalytics.com/globalwork-from-home-experience-survey).
Quality IT Systems Are Essential
The latest generation of communications platforms includes voice, video and text. Email remains the business standard, and many of the new options can leverage those systems to deliver messages in multiple formats, including hosted VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). Whether employees work from home, in a corporate office or flexible workspace, or from the road, these technologies allow them to talk, share information and collaborate seamlessly.
Some organizations may need to upgrade their infrastructure to attain those capabilities. For systems to operate at peak performance levels, with secure connections to the cloud and other
platforms, reliable networks are a must. Qualified personnel should evaluate internet speeds, bandwidth and basic security precautions, and additional protection measures should be put in
place before remote teams can access any systems behind the corporate firewall.
Companies that steadily invest in new Information Technologies and consistently reevaluate their employee work environments typically reap higher profits and experience less turnover than less proactive competitors. Those costs of improvements are offset by the benefits, including greater efficiency, higher customer and employee satisfaction, and lower expenses.
The best option for small businesses is to contract with a reputable managed services provider (MSP) who has the expertise and tools in order to manage and protect their IT resources virtually anywhere. Remote work environments require constant attention and your MSP should be able to react quickly but also be proactive, helping them avoid problems in the first place. Without monitoring, management and ticketing systems in place, and skilled IT professionals available to assist, it is all too easy to overlook potential cybersecurity threats or systems issues.
Alex Lachine, MBA
President
TeamLogic IT Markham
alachine@teamlogicit.ca